But we're men aren't we!: Living history as a site of masculine identity construction

Hunt, Stephen

Abstract

Living history-the presentation of a historical period using live actors-remains an under-researched area despite the range of disciplines that might be brought to focus. While living history became popular in North America from the mid-twentieth century as a means of education, it now constitutes the basis of a fast-growing leisure-time pursuit- one that signifies a number of engendered trajectories in the sphere of leisure. This article will explore the significance of living history in terms of male identity. It will argue that as patriarchal structures are eroded and challenged, the construction, indeed, reconstruction of perceived traditional masculinities, may be negotiated and manufactured through the site of a serious leisure pursuit that attempts to draw boundaries with the feminine. © 2008 Sage Publications.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2008
• Journal: Men and Masculinities
• Print ISSN: 1097-184X
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-6828
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 460-483
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X08314773
• Keywords: identity, leisure, living history, masculinities, postmodernity, reenactment
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1012099
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1097184X08314773